Cigar and cigarette lighter



Aug. 18, 1931. D. BELL ET AL CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed June 6,1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 2L Q I 31. a 44 ,42

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L. D. BELL ET AL CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Filed June 6, 1928 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Inn/enter;

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Patented Aug. 18, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAWRENCE D. BELL, OFLOS ANGELES, AND JOHN C. ROMBACH, OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA; SAID ROMBACHASSIGNOR TO SAID BELL CIGAR AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Application filed June6, 1928. Serial No. 288,348.

Our invention is a cigar and cigarette lighter.

An object of our invention is the construction of a cigar or c'i arettelighter in an elongated cylindrical orm somewhat similar to a fountainpen, and in which the main body of the structure forms the liquidreceptacle with a Wick mounted therein. The wick at the upper end is ina position to be conveniently ignited by a spark from a flint wheel, theflint wheel being actuated by a thumb operated wheel extending beyondthe casing enclosing the operative parts of the structure.

A further object of our invention is the construction of a lighterpreferably cylindrical with a lower and an upper partition adjacent thetop, the wick passing throu h these partitions, and mounted between t epartitions we utilize a thumb operated wheel which has part of itsperiphery extending beyond the casing forming the chamber between thetwo partitions. This thumb operated wheel transfers motion to a flintwheel positioned above the upper partition casing, a spark from theflint wheel igniting the wick.

Another object of our invention is the arrangement of the wick, theflint wheel and the flint, together with a closing cover on top of thecylindrical structure so that when the device is held in a convenientposition for actuating the thumb operated wheel the wick is in theclosest position to the operator for the convenient lighting of thecigar or cigarette.

Another object of our invention is assing the wick upwardly from theliquid cliamber through a tube, this tube forming a journal for thethumb operated wheel; and in this construction the tube also forms thejournal for a gear which engages with a gear on the flint wheel shaft.

A further detailed object of our invention is the manner of constructingthe wick, this being wound in a spiral of cotton batting or similarmaterial and the whole being insorted in the liquid chamber.

A further object is the construction of a lighter having an internaltoothed ring gear mounted outside the casing and meshing with actuatinggear wheels extending through an openin m the casing.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of our invention with parts broken away toillustrate interior constructions,

Fig. 2 is a plan enlarged taken in the direction of the arrow 2 of Fig.1,

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33 of Fig. 1 in the directionof the arrows showing in plan the mechanism on top oi. the upperpartition,

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 44 of Fig. 1 in the directionof the arrows, showing the mechanism between the two partitions,

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 in the direction of thearrows,

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 in the directionof the arrows, showing the tube mounting of the wick with the thumbactuated wheel and a gear journaled thereon,

Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1 in the directionof the arrows, showin the means for actuating the flint wheel.

Fig. 8 is a detail elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 8 ofFig. 2, with parts broken away, showing the relative position of thethumb o erated wheel, the wick, flint wheel and the int,

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view through thesnufi'er, similar to Fig. 1,

Fig. 10 is an elevation, part1 broken away, of a modified form of thelig ter,

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section on the line 11--11 of Fig. 10 in thedirection of the arrows,

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section on the line 1212 of Fig. 10 in thedirection of the arrows,

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section on the line 1313 through the liquidchamber,

Fig. 14 is a detail vertical section on the line 14-14 of Fig. 12 in thedirection of the arrows,

Fig. 15 is a side elevation partly broken away of a modification of theconstruction of Figs. 1 through 9 utilizin a ring gear on the outside ofthe casing to actuated by the thumb,

Fig. 16 is an elevation partl broken away of a modification of Figs. 10through 14 utilizing a ring gear on the outside of the easto be actuatedby the thumb,

ig. 17 is a transverse section on the line 17-17 of Fig. in thedirection of the arrows,

Fig. 18 is a transverse section on the line 18 18 of Fig. 16 in thedirection of the arrows,

Fig. 19 is a cross section showing a modified orm of constructing thewick with the cotton packing.

Referring first to the construction of Figs. 1 through 9, in thisconstruction we utilize a cylindrical casing 11 which has a lowerpartition 12 connected thereto. The upper casing section 13 is securedto the partition 12. there being an annular flange 14 and ashoulder-like rim 15, and a ainst this latter the two casing sections aut. These sections have a tight fit on the partition 12. An upperpartition 16 is constructed in the upper casing section, this sectionhaving a partial top portion 17 with a hinged lid 18. At the bottom ofthe casing there is a reduced section 19 with a closure plug 20 therein,this plug being removable for filling the lighter with the combustiblefuel.

A wick tube 21 extends upwardly through the partitions 15 and 16 and hasthe wick 22 passing therethrough. There is preferably a coned collar 23on the upper portion of the tube above the upper partition. A thumboperated wheel 24 is journaled on the tube 21 and this has a rubber face25 to be engaged by the thumb.

Preferably integrally connected to the thumb operated wheel there is agear 26. A flint-wheel shaft 27 is journaled in the lower and upperpartitions 15 and 16, there being a socket 28 in which the lower endturns. A driving gear 29 is mounted on this shaft and engages with thegear 26, thus transmitting rotary motion to the flint wheel 30 which ismounted above the upper partition 16. This flint wheel may be of theordinary type.

A flint 31 is mounted in a flint mounting 32, this mounting beingsecured to the upper partition by screws 33. This flint mounting has aslot 34 extending upwardly therethrough and through it passes the upperportion 35 of the flint spring 36. This spring is mounted in aliquid-tight, box-like structure 37. The spring has a coil 38 and oneportion 39 bears against one side of the structure 37. and the end 40 ofthe spring bears against the opposite side of this structure. We use aspring substantially similar to that set forth in the patent applicationfor a cigar and cigarette lighter, filed February 15, 1928,

by John C. Rombach, Serial No. 254,460.

The hinged lid 18 is provided with a hinge or pintle structure. 41having a spring 42 which is under tension tending to open the lid, thisbeing held closed by a standard type of catch. Depending from the lidthere is a snufl'er 43 having a cylindrical wall 44 and a top 45, thisbeing swiveled on the swivel pin 46 and utilizing a spring 47 secured tothe cover and engaging the under side of the lid. This snufl'er fitsover the wick when the lid is in a closed position.

The manner of operation and functioning of our lighter so far describedis substantially as follows: The wick is preferably rolled in cottonbatting or similar material as set forth in detail hereunder.

To operate the lighter a person may hold it in one hand and release thecatch holding the lid which immediately springs into the open positionshown in dotted lines in Fig.1. The thumb tlien engages the actuatingwheel 24 and as this has a rubber periphery a firm engagement is had sothat the wheel may be given a quick turn. The wheel is intended torotate in the direction of the arrow 48 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) and thisactuates the gear 26 in the same direction rotating the gear 29 in thedirection of the arrow 49 which transfers the motion throu h the shaft27 to the flint wheel 30. It wifi be noted b reference to Fig. 3 thatthe sparks from t e flint in the flint wheel are driven directl into thewick which, as above mentioned, 1s at the center of the thumb actuatingwheel and the gear 26. Therefore, a person operating the li hternaturally has the wick and the flame acing them in a convenient positionfor lighting a cigar or cigarette.

In the modification of Figs. 10 through 14 we utilize a housing similarto that in the prior construction, having a lower partition 50 and anupper partition 51. In this case the thumb operated wheel 52 is mountedon a vertical shaft 53, the bottom of the shaft fitting in a socket 54inserted ,in an aperture 55 in the bottom partition 50. Part of theperiphery of this wheel extends through an opening 56 in the uppersection of the easing and has a rubber peripheral surface. A bushing 57extends through the upper partition and on top of the shaft 53 ismounted the flint wheel 58.

In this case a tube 59 extends upwardly throu h both of the partitionsand the wick extends upwardly through this tube. The flint is mounted inthe housing in a similar manner to that set forth in the prior fi res,the spring being accommodate in a iquid tight enclosure structure 60extending downwardly through both partitions.

The wick 22 has a spiral winding of cotton batting 61 or other suitablematerial, this being compressible so as to be readily inserted in thecasing.

per partition 16. The lower partition is secured in the lower casingsection by a tight sliding fit, this partition having a depending range63 of considerable extent. The upper portion of the casing 13 also has atight sliding fit on the flan e14 so that when it is desired to changeints that this upper section ma be removed.

The tip end 64 of the flint pressing spring extends upwardly through aslot 65 in the top of the flint mounting 32 so that this may be readilyengaged by a finger and pulled to the end of the mounting and slipped toone side, allowing ready removal of a worn flint and inserting of a newflint. The spiralwinding of cot on batting may be inserted in the lowercasing'section when the lower par tition is separated therefrom, thewick being fitted upwardly through the tube passing through thepartitions.

The manner of operation and functioning of the lighter of Figs. 10through 14 is substantially as follows: In this construction the wick isat one side of the thumb operated wheel and on rotation of this wheel aspark is developed igniting the wick, and it is usually necessary forthe operator to give the device a partial turn to bring the flame intoline with the cigar or cigarette.

Fig. 15 is a modification of the construction of Figs. 1 through 9 inwhich an internal toothed ring gear desi ated generally by the numeral70 is used. his is constructed by mounting a lower bearin g ring 71 onthe outer periphery of the lower partition 12 and mounting an upperbearing ring 72 ()1 the upper portion of the casing 13 above a slot 73cut in the lower part of the casin 13.

The upper and the lower sections of the casing are connected b means ofa friction fit in the same maner as t e construction of Fig.

1. The partition 12 has upper and lower.

flanges or rims on which the upper and lower sections of the casing havea friction fit.

A ring 74 has flanges 7 5 which bear on the bearing rings 71 and 72,'andinternal teeth 76 are formed on the ring. There is a ring, such as .arubber ring 77 mounted on the ring and fitting between the flanges to beengaged by the thumb in operating the device.

In the construction of Figs. 15 and 17 we utilizev the tube v21extending through the lower partition 12 and the upper partition 16 andmount a gear 7 on the lower part of the tube to mesh with the teeth onthe ring gear. This gear projects sufliciently through the slot 73 inthe lower part of the casing 13 to have engagement with the ring gear.This gear 7 8 functions in a manner similar to the gear 26 in theconstruction of Figs. 1 through 8 in that it drives the gear 29 whichtransmits motion to the flint wheel above the upper partition. In thisconstruction the thumb operated wheel 24 has been omitted. Inthjoperation of this device in Figs. 15 and 17 it'wil] be readily seenthat an operator may obtain the flint wheel a suflicient distance toobtain a large spark to ignite the wick. When it is desired to renew theflint the upper section 13 of the casing may be removed carrying theupper bearing ring 72 with it.

The construction of Figs. 16 and 18 corresponds somewhat to theconstruction of Figs. 10 through 14 utilizing a gear 79 mounted on theshaft 53. In this case the bottom of the gear has a recess 80 receivingthe flange 0f the socket 54. In this construction we utilize the sameform of ring gear and the same mounting therefor as desired in .connection with Figs. 15 and 17. In this arrangement the gear 79 extendsthrough the In Fig. 20 we'illustrate an alternative form of wickmounting. In this case-the wick 22 is enclosed in a series of circular'wrappings 81 having meeting ends 82. These 'wrappings increase indiameter and form a compact unit with the wick which may beinserte'dthrough the upper end of the casing in the same manner as the wick andits cotton wrapping illustrated in Fig. 13.

'It will be noted that a characteristic feature of our invention is thatthe actuatingv wheel extends through the wall of the casing as does thegear wheel which is controlled by the ring gear. Therefore in our claimswhere we refer to a wheel extending beyond the wall of the casing it isto be understood as including both the wheel to be actuated by the thumbdirectly and the gear wheel which is operated by the ring gear, suchring gear being actuated by the thumb.

Various changes may be made in the principles of our invention withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof, as set forth in the description,drawings and claims.

We claim:

1. Alighter having acasing with a complete peripheral wall with a lowerand an upper partition, a fuel, chamber below the lower partition, awick extending therefrom to a position above the upper partition, a

flint and flint wheel above the upper partition, and an actuating wheelto rotate the flint wheel mounted between the partitions and extendingpartly outside the wall of the casing.

2. A lighter having an elongated tubular casing, a lower and an upperpartition adjacent the upper portion thereof, the lower portion forminga fuel chamber, a wick extending therefrom upwardly through bothpartitions to a position above the up er partition, :1 flint wheelpositioned above t e upper partition, a flint, and a rotatablewheel foractuating the flint wheel positioned between the partitions andextending partly outside the wall of the casing.

3. A lighter having an elongated tubular casing with a lower and anupper partition adjacent the upper end, the lower part forming a fuelchamber, a wick extending therefrom through atube through bothpartitions to a position above the upper partition, a hint wheelrotatably mounted above the upper partition, a flint, a liquid tightcasing extending downwardly into the fuel chamber and containing aspring bearing on the flint,

and a rotary actuating wheel mounted between the two partitions andextending partly outside the wall (-f the casing.

4. A lighter having an elongated tubular casing with a lower and anupper partition, the part below the lower partition forming a fuelchamber, a wick tube extending through the partitions carrying the workto a position above the upper partition, a flint mounted for horizontalmovement, a flint wheel mounted on a vertical shaft above the upperpartition, an actuating wheel mounted on the wick tube between thepartitions and extending partly outside the wall of the casing.

5. A lighter having a casing with a lower and an upper partition, thepart below the lower partition forming a' fuel chamber, a

. tube extending upwardly through both partitions and carrying a wick, aflint and flint wheel mounted above the upper partition, and anactuating wheel for the flint wheel rotatably mounted on the tube.

6. A lighter as claimed in claim 5, the easing having an opening and theactuating" wheel extending partly therethrough outside the wall of thecasing and having a geared connection to the flint wheel.

'7. A lighter having a casing with a par- .tition adjacent the upperend, the part below the partition forming a fuel chamber,

a tube extending through the partition and carrying a wick, a flintwheel mounted'on a vertical shaft having a gear on the lower partthereof, a flint to engage the flint wheel, and an actuating wheelrotatably mounted on the tube and having a driving gear in mesh with thefirst mentioned gear.

8. A lighter having a casing with a lower and an upper partition, thepart below the lower partition forming a fuel chamber, a tube extendingthrough both partitions, a

flint wheel shaft vertically mounted and journaled in the upperpartition and having a gear at its lower end, a flint above the upperpartition, an actuating wheel rotatably mounted on the tube andextending partly through an opening in the casing outside the wall ofthe casing, and a driving gear connected to the actuating wheel and inmesh with the first mentioned gear.

9. A lighter havin a tubular casing with an opening in one side, a gearwheel extending therethrough, a ring gear on the outside of the casingengaging the gear wheel, a flint wheel, a flint, a wick, and means tooperate the flint wheel from the said gear wheel.

10. A lighter having a casing with a portion forming avfuel chamber, awick tube extending from said chamber adapted to contain a wick, a flintand a flint wheel, a gear drive to said flint wheel, a gear havinginternal teeth, a portion of said gear being outside of the casing andadapted to be engaged manually, the gear having internal teeth operatingthe gear drive.

11. A lighter having a casing with a portion forming a fuel chamber, awick tube extending therefrom adapted to contain a wick, a first gearmounted on said tube, a flint and a flint wheel, a second gear meshingwith the first gear and driving the flint wheel, and an internal gearmeshing with the first gear and having a portion outside of the casingto be engaged manually.

12. A lighter having a casing with a portion forming a fuel chamber, awick tube extending from said chamber adapted to carry a wick, a firstgear on said tube, there being an opening in the side of the casingthrough which the teeth of said gear project, a flint and a flint wheel,a second gear meshing with the first gear and driving the flint wheel,an internal gear meshing with the first gear and having a portionoutside of the casing to be engaged manually.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

' LAWRENCE D. BELL.

JOHN C. ROMBACH.

